Page 89 of Truth's Blade

He knew her. And she knew him.

There would be no sleep until they had Viviane back.

“Agreed.” Lineka’s voice was deep and a little hoarse. He’d been a quiet, steady presence the whole way, but now there was a real destination, he all but quivered.

They rode, hard and in silence.

At the turn, they slowed and then stopped, let the horses rest a little and allowed everyone to drink some water.

The moon was high, and in its silver wash of light, she could see no sign of farmland or any dwellings. There was a hill in front of them, dark with trees, and the road seemed to curve around it.

She felt restless, unable to settle, even though her mount needed the rest and she knew she should drink and eat something. But her baby was out there.

This was how her mother and father must have felt when she’d been taken by her cousin, Herron. How her grandmother and grandfather would have felt when her mother had been snatched as a young woman, as well.

It was almost intolerable.

She left her horse with one of the soldiers in the unit, and took her travel bag with her as she walked to the front of the group.

She stood, looking down the road, sipping from her water pouch. She sensed Luc behind her, and then she was enveloped by the warmth of his cloak as he stood at her back and pulled it around them both.

She leaned against his chest, and angled her head to look up at him, but he was watching the road in front of them, too.

She sighed. “I just want to have her back, and for her to be all right.”

“I know.” He tightened his hold.

She faced forward, and then frowned, trying to make out what she was seeing.

It looked like a group of people was traveling toward them, although she couldn’t make out how many.

“Is that?—?”

Luc turned and gave a whistle, and suddenly there was absolute silence as everyone focused ahead.

“It’s a group of riders. It’s unusual for them to be leaving the town this late.” Luc gripped her under her arms, swung her around as he turned, and they both ran for their horses.

Everyone was mounted and waiting when the riders drew near enough that they could make out six horses.

One of the riders, the one in the lead, suddenly called out a hail.

“Gallain?” Tiano pushed forward on her horse. She gave a whistle, and it was answered by at least two of the people shrouded in darkness but getting clearer all the time.

“It’s them.” Tiano turned to her. “It’s the unit from the barracks that went with Lieutenant Hallan.”

Ava didn’t wait. She began to ride toward them, and suddenly Luc was by her side, keeping pace as they galloped toward the small group.

“Mom!” The shout came from a rider in the middle of the group, and Ava tried to swallow a sob at her relief, hearing that voice.

“Vivi?”

They slowed as they reached the group, with Ava realizing the whole unit had caught up, surrounding the six horses.

She saw Vivi was sharing a mount with Genevieve La Rochal, and she pushed past the two soldiers leading the group to envelop both girls in a fierce hug.

“My baby,” she whispered in Viviane’s ear. “I was so worried.”

Vivi gave a gurgling laugh, and was suddenly lifted off her horse into her father’s arms.

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